G.F. Handel - Händel: Susanna on CD

Description

After the patriotic victory oratorios , the oratorio 'Susanna' marks a turning point in Handel s composition. This Old Testament narrative is a popular motif in the domain of art history. Many a portrayal exists of the steadfast Susanna being watched unbeknownst to her by two lusting elders as she bathes. Likewise, the scene of the supposed adulteress appearing before the judges who sentence her to death inspired painters such as Rembrandt, Giorgione, Gentileschi and Corinth. In adopting this as his subject, Handel chose a heroine who is neither a queen nor a prophet. The piquant account from the Book of Daniel drew from him magnificent inventiveness in the music, which also includes passages in the lighter vein characteristic of the English ballad opera popular at the time. Susanna s virtue, however, is extolled in monumental choruses. The present live recording is a production of the 2016 International Handel Festival in Göttingen, highly praised by the critics at their performances in Göttingen, Berlin, and Wroclaw. Laurence Cummings, the Festival's Artistic Director, a renowned Händel specialist, stands at the helm of the Göttingen Festival Orchestra, aided by an excellent vocal cast and the NDR Choir. Review **** 'Laurence Cummings s new version with Göttingen festival forces captures fully the uplifting, pastoral, ethereal vision in arias such as Susanna s Crystal streams in murmurs flowing , and his cast, while not all perfect in English, are responsive, with Ciara Hendrick outstanding. Beautiful.' --Nicholas Kenyon The Observer, 30th October 2016 This live recording, made at the Göttingen Handel Festival, is conducted sagely by Laurence Cummings, whose direction is alert to the broad range of dramatic atmospheres, situations, characterisations and musical styles in the oratorio. Each strand in the ominous Overture is delineated transparently by the Göttingen Festival Orchestra. The NDR Choir are for the most part adroitly disciplined ... Fons s unadorned and emotionally bare singing in Faith displays her rosy wing captures a truthful simplicity that reaches the dramatic kernel of the condemned victim s situation ... Christopher Lowrey s supple technique, artistry and embellishments are responsive to gleefully scampering orchestral violins and crisp basso continuo-playing in Joacim s When first I saw my lovely maid , and his virile pinpoint coloratura is both ardent and intelligently musical ... Colin Balzer sings with unforced clarity, excellent diction and exemplary embellishment as the First Elder ... this is a valuable new perspective on Handel s late masterpiece. --David Vickers - Gramophone, January 2017